The only way is up for Principle

Principle Window and High-Level Cleaning (PWHLC) has been awarded full accreditation by IRATA International (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association), the world’s leading authority in rope access.

The accreditation is a major milestone for PWHLC, which has grown significantly since its inception in 2013 and whose 90 plus-strong team includes eight full-time abseilers, a manager devoted to rope access activities and a technical lead, along with full safety backup.

Industrial rope access has been developed by IRATA International over the past 25 years, to a point where it is the chosen means of access for much of the work in the offshore oil and gas industry as well as a range of projects in construction, civil engineering, the built and natural environment and more. Abseiling as a method of operation for window cleaning continues to thrive and rope access is often the preferred choice, particularly for complex structures.

David Saville, Window Cleaning Operations Director at Principle Cleaning Services, said: “Our team is amongst the best and most highly trained in the industry so we are particularly proud to have been officially recognised by IRATA. In areas of high risk, such as industrial rope access, IRATA accreditation gives a company the confidence to trust a particular supplier. There are many excellent organisations operating in the London window cleaning market, few of which are accredited by IRATA.”

He added: “IRATA’s success is based on thorough training and strict work guidelines that deliver an unrivalled safe working record year after year. The environmental, efficiency and economic benefits have resulted in growing international support for industrial rope access ahead of alternative means.”

Initially recruiting four window cleaning operatives from the East London Business Alliance, a non-profit making organisation giving local people the opportunity to get back to work, PWHLC now directly employs 85 full-time staff, a management team of five plus full-time safety and administrative support. It has an annual turnover of over £5 million.